- Almost $3 million for more police at WA shopping precincts over summer months
- Increased patrols targeting theft and anti-social behaviour as part of Operation Heat Shield
- Nation-leading trial with cameras linked to the WA Police State Operations Command Centre begins at major Perth shopping centre
The Cook Government has announced $2.86 million to ramp up patrols at busy shopping precincts across Perth over the festive season as part of an operation code-named Heat Shield.
The Christmas crime crackdown will target shoplifters and antisocial behaviour in the city centre including at Protected Entertainment Precincts (PEPs), the suburbs and across regional Western Australia.
In just a one-month period last year Operation Heat Shield resulted in 185 arrests and a total of 238 charges while more than 2,000 extra patrol hours were recorded across PEPs and retail precincts.
In addition, for the first time in Australia, Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras (ANPR) linked to the WA Police nerve centre are being trialled at a major suburban shopping centre to enhance community safety.
ANPR cameras are now operational around Karrinyup shopping centre and will provide real-time alerts to police officers at the 24/7 State Operations Command Centre (SOCC).
The cutting-edge technology will immediately flag vehicles of interest linked to wanted people and provide police with vital intel in the event they need to respond to an unfolding emergency at the shopping centre.
If the trial is successful, ANPR cameras linked to police surveillance could be rolled out at other suburban shopping centres in WA.
Comments attributed to Police Minister Paul Papalia:
"Our city and shopping precincts are incredibly busy during the festive season and police will be out in force targeting those behaving badly.
We know a visible police presence deters criminals and right now in WA we have more police patrolling our streets than ever before.
"We are also resourcing our officers better than ever before, and this nation-leading ANPR camera trial is confirmation the WA Police Force is the best equipped in Australia."
